News | USC Today | April 2021

USC experts say tree planting could double shade across L.A.’s Eastside

University scientists, working with the city of Los Angeles, have developed a plan to grow an urban forest in communities vulnerable to heat waves and air pollution.

A new blueprint by USC researchers identifies four places best suited to plant shade trees across Los Angeles’ Eastside to bring cooling relief to thousands of people at risk for heat waves and air pollution in a warming global climate.

In some scenarios, the tree canopy could be doubled across much of El Sereno, Ramona Gardens and parts of Lincoln Heights near USC’s Health Sciences Campus, the researchers report. Today, the area is one of the most tree-poor urban landscapes in the city.